Bullpen unable to save the day

May 26, 2014

ERIE -- The Curve have a decent team in many ways, but they have a very disappointing 20-29 record primarily because of two reasons.

They can't beat Akron.

And they can't finish off games in which they have a lead.

The Curve have eight saves this season, but they've already blown nine save opportunities. They've blown one each of the past two days at Erie, including a tough one Sunday as the SeaWolves rallied for a 6-5 win at Jerry Uht Park.

Stetson Allie hit two homers for Altoona, including a two-run shot in the sixth for a 4-2 lead. The Curve added an insurance run later in the frame on a Willy Garcia RBI single for a three-run cushion.

Fact Box

It wasn't enough, just as their two-run lead late in Saturday's game wasn't enough. And just as so many late leads in games all season haven't been enough.

Reliever Matt Benedict (0-2) blew the save and took the loss, allowing four runs in two innings. Erie scored twice in the seventh and took the lead with two more in the eighth.

Steven Moya, who has clobbered Curve pitching in the series, opened the eighth with a triple and came home to tie the game at 5-5 on a single by Dean Green. Aaron Westlake, who had walked, later came in with the go-ahead run on a single by Dixon Machado.

The Curve are 5-12 against Akron, and that coupled with the nine blown saves has cost the team any chance of putting together a good run to pull closer to .500. They had won three in a row before the back-to-back blown saves the past two days.

Altoona starter Adrian Sampson took a no-decision despite pitching well once again. Sampson allowed two runs on seven hits in six innings and left in position for the win with his team up 5-2.

The Curve pounded Erie starter Tommy Collier, who has struggled all season, for five runs in 5 2/3 innings. Collier's ERA is 7.80.

Ryan Robowski (2-0) won in relief for the SeaWolves.

SUBHD: Game recap

Key player: SS Dixon Machado went 3-for-4 with an RBI and a run for Erie.

Key play: Machado gave the SeaWolves the win with a go-ahead single in the eighth.

Key stat: The Curve have saved only eight games but have blown nine other opportunities.